Sapient Capital LLC Sells 1,079 Shares of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA)

Sapient Capital LLC lessened its stake in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA - Free Report) by 1.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 96,280 shares of the credit services provider's stock after selling 1,079 shares during the period. Mastercard comprises approximately 1.0% of Sapient Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Sapient Capital LLC's holdings in Mastercard were worth $52,773,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mastercard in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Marshall Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Mastercard during the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC bought a new position in Mastercard during the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Navigoe LLC acquired a new stake in Mastercard during the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the company's stock.

Mastercard Stock Down 4.7%

Shares of NYSE MA traded down $27.78 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $561.50. 5,902,461 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,616,055. Mastercard Incorporated has a one year low of $428.86 and a one year high of $594.71. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $555.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $543.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The company has a market cap of $511.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.05.

Mastercard (NYSE:MA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The credit services provider reported $3.73 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.57 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $7.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.12 billion. Mastercard had a net margin of 45.71% and a return on equity of 188.47%. The firm's revenue was up 14.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $3.31 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Mastercard news, insider Sandra A. Arkell sold 150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $580.00, for a total transaction of $87,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,255 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,887,900. This trade represents a 4.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Craig Vosburg sold 9,428 shares of Mastercard stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $588.18, for a total transaction of $5,545,361.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 58,451 shares in the company, valued at approximately $34,379,709.18. This trade represents a 13.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 46,686 shares of company stock worth $26,430,428 in the last ninety days. 0.09% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday. Monness Crespi & Hardt cut shares of Mastercard from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Mastercard from $660.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Mastercard in a report on Friday, June 6th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $633.00 target price on shares of Mastercard in a research note on Wednesday, April 2nd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $610.00.

Mastercard Profile

Mastercard Incorporated, a technology company, provides transaction processing and other payment-related products and services in the United States and internationally. The company offers integrated products and value-added services for account holders, merchants, financial institutions, digital partners, businesses, governments, and other organizations, such as programs that enable issuers to provide consumers with credits to defer payments; payment products and solutions that allow its customers to access funds in deposit and other accounts; prepaid programs services; and commercial credit, debit, and prepaid payment products and solutions.